Two independent analyst firms -- RBC
Capital Markets and Stifel Nicolaus -- said that RIM moved 150,000
units of the BlackBerry Torch over the weekend. That's a
remarkably weak launch, compared to the 1.7
million iPhones sold by Apple in its first week. In
fact, RIM's launch numbers are more reminiscent of the Palm
Pre's launch sales.

To be fair, some Android phones like
the HTC EVO 4G were highly anticipated and posted similar launch
sales numbers. However, the Android market is more tightly
packed and high profile launches come at a frantic pace.
BlackBerry, on the other hand, follows a release schedule somewhere
in between Android's and Apple's, with less frequent new device
launches. Thus a less than huge launch could spell trouble for
the gadget-maker.

On the other hand, RIM, like Android, has
always benefited more from slow-and-steady
sales, so it's possible the lackluster launch isn't a trouble
sign. Part of the problem for RIM is mere logistics -- the
Torch is currently available only on AT&T.

RIM has not
announced when the phone might be coming to America's other big three
carriers: Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile. As the Android Galaxy
S/Galaxy S Pro smartphones have shown, going multi-carrier
is a very successful approach, which instantly expands your market.

Along with the disappointing sales news, the first parts-cost
analysis of the new Torch has hit courtesy of iSuppli. The
research firm says the new BlackBerry costs approximately $171 for
components and has a $12 labor cost. The most expensive
components are the $34.85 touchscreen/display assembly, $34.25
Samsung memory chips, and $15 Marvell 625 MHz processor.

Many
have criticized the phone's processor as being overly slow, versus
Apple's new A4 or the Samsung Hummingbird found in the Epic
4G and its Galaxy S brethren.

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I think that is definitely a part of it. There are a lot more "smartphone" options now and the blackberry is probably losing ground to people who bought one without really needing is more advanced features. Business users were the original target for smartphones because they actually benefitted from being able to check and write email, schedule appts, maintain a calendar and all that with top-notch security.

I still use my BB8800 and I've always been satisfied with it. The thing I don't like about the new crop of smartphones is the heavy reliance on a touchscreen. Fcuk touchscreen! I don't want to be constantly wiping finger smudges off because of this iphone-wannabe fixation that's sweeping the smartphone market. I like buttons and I don't want a phone that ONLY has a touchscreen. I'd rather it have a nice screen, even if the screen is smaller, and a good keypad.

The Blackberry is very good at what it does, which is to communicate - as a phone or by text. BBM is probably one of the best...if not THE best...mobile messaging platforms (but I hate the commercials). Sure, you will not find as many game or entertainment options but guess what...the BB is made for business people who spend less time wasting time and more time getting things done.